Tag: Days of Our Lives

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Kevin Spirtas Chats On His ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Character Coming Out

Chatting with Kevin Spirtas about his return to Days of Our Lives and his character, Dr. Craig Wesley, coming out as gay
Emmy Award winner Kevin Spirtas
In this episode of The Randy Report podcast,  I’m talking to Emmy Award winner Kevin Spirtas – who recently returned to Days of Our Lives for a ground-breaking storyline as his character Dr. Craig Wesley came out as gay. Continue reading “Kevin Spirtas Chats On His ‘Days Of Our Lives’ Character Coming Out”

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News Round-Up: February 16, 2022

Gay super couple Will Horton (Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (Zach Tinker) are returning to ‘Days of Our Lives’
Chandler Massey and Zach Tinker are returning to ‘Days of Our Lives’
Some news items you might have missed: • Instinct Magazine: Days of Our Lives super-couple Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis (Chandler Massey and Zach Tinker respectively) are returning to the daytime drama. Continue reading “News Round-Up: February 16, 2022”

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No More ‘Days’ For Daytime’s Gay Power Couple

L-R Chandler Massey and Freddie Smith (screen capture)
After years of playing Salem’s resident on-again/off-again gay couple on Days of Our Lives, actors Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey have been informed their contracts were not renewed for the long-running daytime drama. Breaking the news on his Twitter account, Smith (who plays Sonny Kirakis on the series) wrote, “Days of Our Lives releases Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey from contracts. I will miss Salem so much!!” “Thank you all for the incredible love and support throughout the years,” he added. “I really feel we told a love story that will live on forever.” Massey (who plays Will Horton) followed that up with his own tweet writing, “Wish it weren’t coming to an end, but I will be forever grateful to everyone who went on this journey with us.”

The tweet linked to a YouTube video where Smith shared with fans that he and Massey may be done shooting Days episodes as early as this week. Without giving up any details as to how the couple departs the show, Smith shares the viewing audience won’t be saying goodbye to Will and Sonny (affectionately known as ‘WilSon’ to fans) until September 18, 2020, due to the show shooting episodes six months in advance. Smith adds that the decision “was not our choice,” and that he and Massey were looking forward to staying on and keeping their storyline going. But it appeared to Smith as though the writing was on the wall. “As the scripts started coming in, I was like, ‘This doesn’t look good. This doesn’t look like we’re going to get re-signed to a contract.’” Still, Smith acknowledges the history that the show and ‘WilSon’ made. “In 2011, for Days of Our Lives, hats off for taking that risk, telling that love story, and I’m just really happy to be a part of it.” Over nine years and around 900 episodes, Smith says “We’ve done something special.” Special indeed when you consider the couple exchanged vows in the first male-male wedding in US daytime drama history. In recognition of the characters and storylines of Sonny and Will, the GLAAD Media Awards honored Days as ‘Outstanding Daily Drama’ four years in a row (2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015). Additionally, Massey won the Daytime Emmy three years in a row (2012, 2013, 2014) for ‘Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series’ marking the first time a gay character was recognized in that category. In 2015, Smith took home the same trophy. TVLine reports Days released the entire cast from their contracts last fall in a belt-tightening decision as the producers waiting to see if the show would be renewed for its 56th season. Once the renewal was announced, the series began negotiating contracts with some (not all) of the show’s players. In announcing the news online, TVGuide.com called the gay couple “the heart and soul of the long-running soap.” You can watch Freddie Smith share his thoughts in the video below.

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Days Of Our Lives to feature first-ever same-sex wedding this week

This week, long-running Days Of Our Lives will feature the first same-sex wedding in the history of daytime drama.

From Advocate.com:

Starting April 1, in a storyline that goes on for three consecutive episodes, Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis (the fan-favorite couple affectionately dubbed “WilSon” by fans) will tie the knot in a ceremony presided by a surprise officiant.

In 2012, the character of Will came to terms with his sexual orientation in powerful episodes that had audiences around the world captivated and rooting for the character to find love. A romance and the culminating engagement earlier this year has been among soap’s most popular storylines since then.

The announcement comes on the heels the show’s third GLAAD Award nomination for the storyline this year.

You can watch a tease of the upcoming ceremony below:

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Chandler Massey wins 2nd Daytime Emmy for “coming out” storyline on Days Of Our Lives

Chandler Massey snatched his second consecutive Outstanding Young Actor Daytime Emmy for his role as gay teen Will Horton on Days of Our Lives on Sunday.

He beat out his on-air boyfriend Sonny Kiriakis, played by Freddie Smith, who Massey called a “phenomenal” actor and person. Massey’s win last year marked the first time an actor won for portraying a gay character, while this year he won for Will Horton’s coming-out storyline, seen above.

Visibility of gay characters helps improve the support the LGBT community receives from the rest of the world.  An Ipsos poll for Reuters shows in countries and communities where people knew someone gay, support was higher and more broad.  In countries where gays and lesbians hide due to shame or fear, acceptance dropped dramatically.

(via Queerty)
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Days Of Our Lives getting gay romantical

The long-brewing romance between Will (Chandler Massey) and Sonny (Freddie Smith) is about to get official with a kiss on tomorrow’s Days of Our Lives.

Sweet.

I have to say: 20 years ago this would have made me happy but uncomfortable in how America would react to this.  Now it just makes me smile and get all happy.

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Actor & Broadway producer Kevin Spirtas on The Candi & Randy Show

Listen to internet radio with CandiXRandy on Blog Talk Radio

For 7 1/2 years, Kevin Spirtas played the dashing and frolicking Dr. Craig Wesley on NBC’s “Days of Our Lives”.

This was followed by his return to Broadway as the standby for Hugh Jackman as the title role in the musical “The Boy From Oz,” having previously appeared on the Great White Way in “A Chorus Line” and “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

Kevin has now moved into the role of Broadway producer as part of the producing team for the current hit show “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” – his second stint as a Broadway producer following the acclaimed 2009 revival of “Finian’s Rainbow.”

Kevin also tours with his acclaimed one man show “Night and Days” – which features his singing, dancing & story telling talents as he tells tales of his adventures as a successful TV and stage actor.

Listen in wtih Candi and Randy as we talk with Kevin about the entertainment industry from both sides of the producing table. Plus we share songs from his CD based on his one man show – “Night and Days” plus music from his Broadway production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”